Because the dates of the broadcast depend on the local station schedules, I can't slap a hard number on the thread title. But I can identify this as the first show in the new Sinclair distribution deal.

I was not a fan of the HDNet show. The commentary was detached and stagnant as the old-school (and just old) host was partnered with a slack-eyed heel-wannabe color commentator. The camera work was iffy, and the packaging looked good for the HD signal but pursued the TNA/WWE style and looked worse for the comparison.

Not this show.

Hosts Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness take to the ring in front of a bonzo crowd to start the new era in ROH. Nigel gets the streamers from the fans, and Kelly says hello to the first-time audience.

We get two full matches, highlights of a recent Manhattan iPPV, a preview of next week's main event, and outstanding presentation of the ROH philosophy. They made this show to distinguish themselves from TNA/WWE, and it works. Backstage promos are replaced with black-set sitdown monologues much like UFC's pre-match segments, and that show's template is also paralleled in Jim Cornette's explanation of the Code of Honor: wrestlers who honor the code shake hands before and after and promise to bring their A-game to compete.

The match Tales of the Tape list whether the participants follow the code, and I was confused in the first match's graphics, because I didn't know exactly how that would manifest. Cornette's bit popped up later and laid it out with in-ring clips of competitors doing the MMA kneel-and-pray, lending a scoash of legitimacy.

Both matches are tag, and we get sizzle and steak.

The Sizzle: Future Shock (Adam Cole & Kyle O'Reilly) vs. The Bravados (Lancelot and Harlem). This is a flippy spotfest, and I ain't complainin'. Some nifty doubleteams moves are peppered throughout as it's clearly intended to prove that ROH wants to dazzle you. There's no story told in the ring here, and that's fine. Future Shock win. I remember the Bravdos being much more flamboyant in their gimmick, but they are much more subdued here. Given all the exposition and introduction RPH brings to this episode, a little razzle dazzle for its own sake is Perfectly Acceptable Wrestling.

The Steak: Tag champs World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) vs. Kings of Wrestling (Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Hero) w/Sara Del Rey and Shane Hagadorn. And this is your traditional tag match. The heels don't recognize the code and cheat like mad before the champs can get the hot tag and pinfall. I can see why Claudio is moving to the WWE. He's got the build, size and presence to hop into a midcard title angle immediately.

Between these matches we see clips from the recent iPPV, specifically the title win by WGTT in a four-way elimination bout. As soon as the match is over, the Briscoes attack the new champs to seemingly set up their first feud.

Also we get an extended package for new ROH world champ Davey Richards as he beat Eddie Edwards. Richards busts out some solid moves, like a suplex into an armbar, and gives a prolonged victory speech thanking his friends in the ring and saluting his dead grandparents.

This segment, like the rest of the show, is focused on the wrestlers' creativity and athleticism. Even the presences of the KOW's entourage are minimal; they don't interfere when Robert's Rules of Rasslin Order specifically state they have to take cheap shots and distract the ref. Neither happen, and that means everything occurs between the wrestlers.

Next week, we're promised Jay Lehtal vs. TV champ El Generico. Lethal does all the talking in his sitdown, explaining that he spent time "elsewhere" trying to be someone else, and he's back in ROH after six years away. He's calm and respectful toward Generico, seen briefly in highlights.

I was won over, really impressed with the attitude of the show and the matches. So far, no silly cheesecake, no grotesque gimmicks, no screaming into the mic, and no catchphrases.

I've watched a lot of the old ROH DVD's from the 2002-2007 era. The main thing I didn't like about ROH when they got the HDNet show was they went to the typical WWE program model where the TV show is basically an ad for the PPV.

When it was just the weekend shows and DVD's, you had the feeling that EVERY show mattered. There were no PPV's to build to. Sure, certain shows have more importance like Final Battle and the Anniversary shows, but there is nothing like Wrestlemania. I thought this gave ROH a unique feel.

I liked Dave Prazak! I think he was more hamstrung in having to work with a guy in Mike Hogewood who was really ignorant about the sport in general and would have loved to have him working with Kelly. (DISCLAIMER: Prazak is a Facebook friend and may follow me on Twitter, I can't remember)

Don't get me wrong, it was nice to see Nigel - did we ever find out what STD (sorry, blood disease) sidelined him for good? - even if his hairdo was boring and nonexistent. It's still hard to believe he was slumming around Pro Wrestling IRON 10 years ago.

It was a real shock to see a wrestling show in 2011 NOT in HD - even our crappy indy fed (which has been in reruns for months) uses HD cameras!

As a standalone product, it's perfectly fine weekend wrestling. I almost would prefer a squash match in there just to up the "wrestling" content, but that's me being greedy. The perils of airing stuff that was taped two or three months ago still apply, but if they DID manage to hook in any first-time watchers, they're not gonna know that the Kings of Wrestling left ROH long ago.

It was also fun how they snuck in a few of their more famous "alumni" (in clip form) without calling any attention to it.

I'm sure The Embedder will hit this thread later when the show is available publicly online. (It's only available to pay subscribers for....some number of days, but eventually we'll all get a chance at it)

Originally posted by CRZI liked Dave Prazak! I think he was more hamstrung in having to work with a guy in Mike Hogewood who was really ignorant about the sport in general and would have loved to have him working with Kelly. (DISCLAIMER: Prazak is a Facebook friend and may follow me on Twitter, I can't remember)

FWIW I think Dave is better working as a face PBP guy like he does when calling the SHIMMER dvd's than as a heel color man. Not that he was bad at the latter, but he seems more comfortable in the role of the bemused Gorilla Monsoon like face playing off of a snarky heel color commentator.

I kinda got into the HDNet show when it first started, tapered quickly. Unfortunately, the DC stations aren't picking this up so I might have to go to my girlfriend's mom's house to get the Richmond affiliate to see it.

"Hi Ms. K, can I come in to watch wrestling?"

I don't see that going over too well.

Is there anyplace I can get caught up with ROH? Last I saw Austin Aries was the champ and Necro Butcher was failing to use his staple gun on anybody.

"Laugh and the world laughs with you. Frown and the world laughs at you."-Me.

Originally posted by CRZI liked Dave Prazak! I think he was more hamstrung in having to work with a guy in Mike Hogewood who was really ignorant about the sport in general and would have loved to have him working with Kelly. (DISCLAIMER: Prazak is a Facebook friend and may follow me on Twitter, I can't remember)

FWIW I think Dave is better working as a face PBP guy like he does when calling the SHIMMER dvd's than as a heel color man. Not that he was bad at the latter, but he seems more comfortable in the role of the bemused Gorilla Monsoon like face playing off of a snarky heel color commentator.

Dave Prazak and Portia Perez are my favorite commentary team right now. They are the modern Gorilla and Heenan. I can put on a dvd, not even look at the screen, and know everything that's going on in a match & spend the whole thing cracked up by Perez. She isn't lying in claiming about putting awesome to shame.

Originally posted by Matt TrackerNext week, we're promised Jay Lehtal vs. TV champ El Generico. Lethal does all the talking in his sitdown, explaining that he spent time "elsewhere" trying to be someone else, and he's back in ROH after six years away. He's calm and respectful toward Generico, seen briefly in highlights.

This was excellent.

Originally posted by Matt TrackerI was won over, really impressed with the attitude of the show and the matches. So far, no silly cheesecake, no grotesque gimmicks, no screaming into the mic, and no catchphrases.

From the ashes of ECW we had ROH rise up like phoenix to take it's place. It's taken quite a while for it to gain a piece of the market but this that "ADULT" wrestling that people have demanded since the true death of ECW in 2001. That that WWECW resurrected watered down crap we had. Also, glad to see that crowd keep the chanting to minimum, that if it comes here I'm defiantly going.

Now I give you, once again, current ROH Davey Richards vs. Kris King from XMCW from October of last year.

Originally posted by LexusI kinda got into the HDNet show when it first started, tapered quickly. Unfortunately, the DC stations aren't picking this up so I might have to go to my girlfriend's mom's house to get the Richmond affiliate to see it.

"Hi Ms. K, can I come in to watch wrestling?"

I don't see that going over too well.

Is there anyplace I can get caught up with ROH? Last I saw Austin Aries was the champ and Necro Butcher was failing to use his staple gun on anybody.

I dig the Bravado brothers - I think they're really funny and great to watch. I will have to see if they air this on the Fight Network here in Canada, or if Sinclair is true to their word and will stream the shows for a worldwide audience online.

Finally got to watch it via ROH.com. I don't know that we will be able to embed the show here, since you have to sign up to watch on the site and I didn't see any Youtube-esque embedding option. Then again, I'm certainly not a computer wiz, so feel free to mock me if I'm dead wrong about this.

Regardless, it's very nice to see some TAG TEAM WRESTLING. I had almost forgotten what it looked like. I believe that the best match between the Kings and WGTT was the night Haas and Benjamin debuted in ROH, but for a TV match, this was good stuff.

I'm kinda sad the Kings of Wrestling are done. I remember seeing Chris Hero back in his days as the Wife Beater in Unified Championship Wrestling in Dirty Dayton, Ohio (not an especially great indy promotion, but what the hell else is there to do in Dayton?). Chris has always been a really cool dude and I think it's swell that he got some exposure on television like this. As for Claudio, I'm hoping that the E at least allows him to keep the giant swing and the no-hands UFO in his moveset, though I somehow doubt it. But c'mon! Those moves are money.

Originally posted by Super 7-UpAs for Claudio, I'm hoping that the E at least allows him to keep the giant swing and the no-hands UFO in his moveset, though I somehow doubt it. But c'mon! Those moves are money.

They're both big man moves, so I can see him still doing this. It would make him stand out of course and I'm not sure if WWE would like that.

A few weeks ago the rumor was that both KoW would get signed. Did they pass up on him or is something else going on?

I have to admit, I hadn't seen the Bravado brothers before. They were amusing. The crowd's "JUstin Bieber" chant was funny, especially since the commentary picked up on it (and explained why the Bravados appreciated the comparison)

Both matches were good.The promos and interviews were nicely done as well,and definitely give it a different vibe.I feel that they have to go for this partially because it's only an hour long show. No time for elaborate promos eating up ring-time.

I don't think they'll have much trouble with presenting the more gimmick based wrestlers.Even the Embassy is really just a guy who manages other guys. And who knows..maybe they can finally explain to me who or what Truth Martini is (I just don't see wtf he does)

Originally posted by dMpA few weeks ago the rumor was that both KoW would get signed. Did they pass up on [Hero] or is something else going on?

Originally posted by WONRegarding Chris Hero and WWE, there has been a delay in him going to Florida. We’re not certain of the reason, but right now he is still expected to be going to WWE soon, but has taken at least one if not more indie date for October.

Originally posted by Super 7-UpFinally got to watch it via ROH.com. I don't know that we will be able to embed the show here, since you have to sign up to watch on the site and I didn't see any Youtube-esque embedding option. Then again, I'm certainly not a computer wiz, so feel free to mock me if I'm dead wrong about this.

No, I think you're dead right...which makes ROH dead wrong - not letting anybody embed their show is a stupid way to make sure new people never try their product, and from a purely UX (user experience) standpoint, there sure seemed to be an awful damn lot of hoops to jump through just to get a stupid stream started.

Strangely, the online clip appears to be in an HD aspect ratio. I say "strangely" because all I got on my Sinclair station was a cropped SD feed. Did anybody watching this at home get it in HD on *their* station? (Nobody challenged me earlier, but I'm double checking.)

Originally posted by dMpAnd who knows..maybe they can finally explain to me who or what Truth Martini is (I just don't see wtf he does)

Truth Martini is quite obviously a Life Intervention Expert! If you have ever read "The Book of Truth," surely your life as you know it would be changed.

I still fondly remember the ever-so-brief face turn during the Invasion, when he just ripped into some of the Alliance talent for daring to ask him for a match... I forget who it was, but GOD it was great.